Latest Birmingham City news from BirminghamLive: Tom Brady has started a campaign to become a part owner of the NFL franchise Las Vegas Raiders.
Tom Brady, a Birmingham City investor, is moving close to buying a stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, according to an NFL commissioner who provided an update this week.
Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion, is seeking NFL permission after reaching an agreement with the Raiders last May. For a contract to be approved by the league, at least 24 NFL owners must vote in favor.
Because members did not vote on the topic this week, it will take place in May. When the agreement was first postponed in October, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said, “We’re trying to figure it out. The only requirement is that the number is fair for Tom’s buying price. If reasonable value dictates that 10% should cost $525 million (£416 million), you cannot pay $175 million (£138 million).”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell provided an update this week. “I wouldn’t say it’s a delay,” he remarked during the NFL’s annual meeting. “We go through a really detailed process.
“We are simply going through our process. We have contacted their side. I believe it has been making progress.
Meanwhile, Raiders owner Mark Davis told ESPN, “We’re very excited for Tom to join the Raiders.” And it’s thrilling because he’ll be only the third player in NFL history to become an owner.
Brady inked a $375 million (£297 million) contract with Fox Sports in 2022 to be the team’s lead analyst. The following year, he purchased an equity position in Blues after forming a partnership with Knighthead as part of his relationship with chairman Tom Wagner. Last year, Brady was named chairman of St Andrew’s club advisory board.
Birmingham City has taken a step forward in their efforts to build a new stadium.
According to the BBC, the Blues have purchased land owned by the local council with the intention of replacing St. Andrew’s in the near future.
St. Andrew’s has been home to the Midlands outfit since 1906 and has a capacity of 29,409.
| Top 5 Championship stadium capacities – 2023/24 (per Transfermarkt.com) | ||||
| Club | Capacity | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunderland (Stadium of Light) | 48,707 | ||
| 2 | Sheffield Wednesday (Hillsborough) | 39,859 | ||
| 3 | Leeds United (Elland Road) | 37,890 | ||
| 4 | Middlesbrough (The Riverside) | 33,746 | ||
| 5 | Cardiff City (Cardiff City Stadium) | 33,280 | ||
The stadium has recently undergone repairs to provide safe standing in some areas, as well as previous improvements to repair damage to two stands.
However, the new owners may still build a new stadium, given Tom Wagner only took over the Championship side last year.
Birmingham City poised for new stadium.
The sale of land on Bordesley Park is anticipated to be approved by the council’s property committee this week, maybe as early as Thursday.
While it has not been confirmed whether Birmingham is behind the purchase, it is known that the club has agreed to the terms.
It is expected that up to 3,000 jobs could be created from the upcoming development of the 48-acre site.
The site is less than a mile away from the club’s current home ground.
This could be a huge undertaking by the second division side, and could take multiple years to complete.
Birmingham City’s St. Andrew’s plans
The new owners recently agreed a deal to rename St. Andrew’s to St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead, which CEO Garry Cook claimed was the beginning of their attempts to help grow the Blues’ brand.
This could be the next step in that attempt for growth, as a new stadium could help raise the profile of the club even further.
“A worldwide audience has tuned in to what is happening at Blues, they want to find out more, and we have only just scratched the surface of what is possible,” said Cook, via the BBC, back in January.
“Knighthead has invested in Birmingham and is bringing a level of ambition that is going to improve the fortunes of both the club and the city itself.
“Our partnership is an example of this.
“We look at the football world differently, and we know that creating broader awareness and engagement across social and other media platforms will increase our commercial growth opportunities.
“For Blues, this means the prospect of significant investment, both on and off the pitch.”
Birmingham are currently 21st in the Championship table, only sitting outside the bottom three due to a superior goal difference.
Promising next step for Birmingham
While leaving their home of over 100 years could be a sentimental moment for many supporters, this could be what’s needed for the Blues in the long-run.
A new stadium could be quite an exciting project, and certainly shows the ambitions of the new ownership.
While this will no doubt be an expensive undertaking, the long-term benefits may outweigh the short-term financial pain.
If Birmingham can remain in the Championship this season, then this could be quite an exciting time for supporters of the club.
